Manchester United was warned by a former Old Trafford star.
Signing Benjamin Sesko was able to present Manchester United an over -known issue this summer. Former Red Devil Louis Saha has outlined the potential pitfalls that can come with relying on young people in crucial roles.
The conversations for United to bring in the 22-year-old frontman Sesko from RB Leipzig has been accelerated since Viktor Gyokeres's transfer to Arsenal was confirmed. However, some fans can worry about the prospect of another relatively inexperienced recruit that leads the club's attack.
The Red Devils have a succession of emerging talents that lead their line in recent years. Rasmus Hojlund, who became 22 in February, and Joshua Zirkzee, who became 24 in May, are among the last examples in advance.
Read more: Man Utd Discover Benjamin Sesko Asking price after opening conversations with RB Leipzig
Read more: Ruben Amorim makes commenting while he interviews the man utd future from Rasmus Hojlund
Sesko has now moved above the much more tested Ollie Watkins in the pecking order of the United Summer List. With Sesko who is also open to participation, despite Newcastle's interest who may have to replace Alexander Isak, it could cause problems for people like Zirkzee and Hojlund – the last one that Amorim could not even guarantee on Thursday morning on Thursday morning, this would remain in Old Trafford after this summer.
It shows the enormous pressure that is accompanied by the striker of United, and Champions League winner Saha made clear when he spoke with BetWay, how it is a lot for young men to handle.
He said: “Having the striker gives you confidence, because if you don't play well, he can actually score his own goals. He can score the goals that are important and can change the nature of the games.
“It is very important that the manager finds this with the striker, and that also gives the right platform for Hojlund or Zirkzee to perform, because there is not much pressure on their shoulders.”
There is a risk that the same succession of events will unfold around Sesko if things do not work if hoped for the striker in England. The Slovenian is impressed by Germany and has scored a career-best 21 goals in all competitions for Leipzig in previous term, but there is a sentiment among some United fans that requires a more paved recruit, such as Aston Villa Talisman Watkins.
Saha added to the required profile: “If you look at Europe, it is not easy to find a no. 9 that is very consistent with his own opportunity to create his own chances. We have seen that Victor Osimhen has signed for Galatasaray, Benjamin Sesko might have been signed for Arsenal, or perhaps now.
“You need those goals, you need that charisma at the top of the field because it brings confidence to the other players. I think those profiles are extremely important.”
Asked if United has missed that character and trust of their attacking players in recent years, Saha replied: “I call it players with the balance of arrogance and humility. We had Ibrahimovic. I always felt that this guy was the perfect fit, because he would call this charisma, hardy, it is not an arrogance, work.
“The man worked very hard and helped many of the players around him, so this is the type of character we needed. When you give that responsibility to the 22-year-old and then 20-year-old strikers, they have to prove a lot of things. It is extremely difficult.
“I thought it was a mistake to place that on the shoulder of Hojlund or Zirkzee and say:” You are the boys, you are the number 9 and you have to score 30 goals to get us in the Champions League and get a challenge for the title. “
Saha emphasized his worries and said: “I think it was a mistake and it should be tackled because this is how we build young people's confidence. You cannot move forward because you have had five or 10 good games. It is not enough. You need a season or two, and then a real concept of how things can change in a click. So I think it is not honestly.”
There is of course no guarantee that even older players will have no problems. However, one would hope that a more proven record in other top teams or competitions would lead to a higher guarantee for results on the field.
In that sense, United could make a mistake if they entrust their frontman role to another gem with fairly minimal experience at the top level. It is understood that Leipzig demands the signature of Sesko north of £ 70 million, a similar risk such as the Hojlund investment that does not have to bear much fruit.